Rusty Spur Ranch - Equine Bodywork

Exciting news for 2026! I am working on getting my license for massage therapy for people! We as horse people tend to put ourselves on the back burner while treating our horses. Riders, trainers, farriers and veterinarians all take a beating working with horses. We need to take care of ourselves or we won’t be our best selves for our equines. I am excited to add this to my profession!

Exciting news!! 🎉🎉🎉

For years I’ve been asked if I work on people too. We are so good at taking care of our horses and end up putting ourselves on the back burner. I have started massage school in Dallas and am thrilled to be able to offer massage services as a Licensed Massage Therapist soon. Riders, trainers, veterinarians and farriers all have body issues that can use some help! I am also certified in cryotherapy for horses and humans to assist in recovery and esthetics. I will be mobile with a chair and table. Looking forward to this addition to be able to help us all feel better!

I’ve had the pleasure of working with clients this summer in Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla and Fairbanks. I am always impressed with my Alaska horse community. You all work so hard to keep your horses happy and healthy! My long time clients are getting older and they are doing great. I’ve seen improvement in all the horses with bodymechanics, pain reduction, range of motion, and faster times. It’s a testament to bodywork and top tier care with your veterinarians and farriers. It takes a team to keep them going strong!
I look forward to coming back next summer to see you all again!

The time is nearing the end for my work vacation in this beautiful state I call home. I have had the privelage of working with many great clients and horses here. I have seen horses from 2 months old to 35 and I am impressed with the care you all do for your horses! Your desire for top tier health and wellness is impressive. I have met a lot of new clients and caught up with existing clients who are also people
I am proud to call friends. I have a few open spots left if you want to get on the books before I head south. Thank you for having me out and I’ll see you again next year!!

Most people wait for perfect.
You got in the ring.
That’s the difference. 🐴💪

✨You didn’t wait until the nerves were gone.
✨You didn’t wait for the flawless pattern, the calm horse, or the “ready” feeling.
✨You showed up — messy, maybe shaky — but brave.

And that’s what sets you apart.

🙌🏽Because growth doesn’t happen on the sidelines.
✨It happens in the arena,
under the pressure,
in the middle of the ride that didn’t go to plan — but taught you everything.

So don’t downplay the fact that you showed up.
That’s what champions are made of.

I was just saying this to someone the other day. We’re feeding our horses like Olympic athletes and but not doing the athlete part. I can’t blame them for being fresh, spooky, dangerous etc… when we aren’t allowing the energy to be released properly.

I've been shouldering a lot of other people's horse troubles these days, which seems to happen every year around this same time. I always say, "It's probably just the grass talking. Don't panic, he was a good horse a couple of months ago, he'll be a good horse again. You feed him jet fuel and only ride him once or twice a week (if you are lucky) it only stands to reason he might come out of the corner talkin' smack." 🤷

I learned years ago; grass equals gas, and when the pedal is to the metal and things are starting to redline, the only way out sometimes is to blow up.

Horses who have never bucked before, have been known to fall into a frazzle in the spring of the year and put their rider in jeopardy. Speed events of course, are famous for it; team roping, barrel racing, pole bending, etc. The wheels can fall off the bus fast with horses competing under extreme pressure, asked to give it their all in a burst of speed over a short distance, often without a proper warm up for their wind never mind their 'want to.'

Let me tell you something clearly; the horse you are riding off the grass pasture today, is not the same horse you rode a month or two ago off that bale of hay. A little dew on his hide where the neck joins the shoulder and his nostrils drawing air deep to his lungs, before you back him into the corner to run down a steer, goes a long way to avoiding an ambulance ride straight to traction and an unplanned holiday from your place of employment.

I know, I know, your horse has never bucked. He's your partner, your buddy, your friend. That is awesome. But I've heard it all before.

And I once thought the same thing all the way to the hospital with what felt like a sack full of gravel for a right shoulder.

I'm going to share the secret to surviving horseback events in the spring and early summer; a strict training program whether you have time or not, and a real good warm up. Don't slack on it. Don't wander around scrolling your phone or chatting with your friends. Step up and put your four footed partner to work, do a systems check both directions, walk, trot, lope, and DO IT A LOT.

After all, we owe it to our horses and ourselves...its tough, and it takes some discipline, but it beats getting back on after getting bucked off. That is if we are able to. 😔

Have a good day folks. 😊

Pictured below; hard working ranch horses.

Horse hack - when tine #11 gives out, duct tape to the rescue! Tired of replacing these. Why is it always #11?!

Edit: that’s right to left, proper would be left to right so #7 - it’s always this one for me! Is it me?

This!!! It applies in so many areas. As I constantly continue down body work rabbit holes, working on perfecting skills and helping clients, there are always new challenges. No one knows everything. I believe I have found the smoking gun (with veterinary assitance) after 5 years of working with one of my personal horses. Opening my eyes to symptoms, causes, dysfunctions, and biomechanics of the TMJ. It takes people who listen to you and validate your concerns. I’m excited to focus on TMJ treatment and therapies, including massage, fasica mobilization, acupuncture, osteopath, and injections (if needed). The TMJ is overlooked in many cases and the horses try to tell us! Huge thank you to Dr. Chloe Gates for her expertise!